It seems like every month I say “this is a huge month for DC,” but damn, I could’ve easily done 15 entries this month. But, we already know about the new ‘Sandman Universe’ titles, “Old Lady Harley,” ‘The Witching Hour’ crossover between “Justice League Dark” and “Wonder Woman,” and the new Vertigo series (this month sees “Hex Wives” debut). So let’s dig in.
10. Blank Books
This is both a good idea and an insane one, wrapped up into one. In preparing for the annual ’24 Hour Comics Day,’ DC is providing pre-packaged blank comics to allow folks to draw their own Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman stories. I can get behind that. Charging the same amount as they would for a fully produced comic is not a good look, and they’ve been called out on it. I don’t really know what the solution is, but it certainly isn’t this.
WONDER WOMAN BLANK COMIC #1
Celebrate “24-Hour Comics Day” with the WONDER WOMAN BLANK COMIC! You can write and draw your very own adventure of the Amazon Warrior in this 16-page comic, which features uncoated 80-pound paper (the same stock used on DC’s blank variant covers) that’s ideal for drawing on!
ON SALE 10.03.18
$2.99 US | 16 PAGES
9. New 52 Superman?
We knew that Grant Morrison was going to be co-writing part of “Sideways,” and it seems reasonable to allocate that to this annual. The solicit mentions the Seven Soldiers, a classic Morrison group if there is one, so that makes sense. But then the cover seems to include another Morrison property: the New 52 Superman. I’m not exactly sure how that will work, but if anyone can make it work, it is Morrison.
SIDEWAYS ANNUAL #1
written by DAN DiDIO and GRANT MORRISON
art by MAX RAYNOR
cover by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE
Sideways unleashes his “super” secret weapon against Perrus in an effort to free the oppressed people and escape to his home dimension. He’ll get some additional help from the newly discovered Seven Soldiers, but only if someone makes a heroic ultimate sacrifice. Plus, a bonus backup story in which Sideways meets the Unseen!!
ON SALE 10.31.18
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | RATED T
Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
8.
I am a sucker for these types of books, especially when there are some new voices and fun collaborations happening. Seeing Jordie Bellaire write a Batman story is something that would’ve been unbelievable just a few years ago, and seeing folks like Ram V and Elena Casagrande getting more DC work is a really good thing. Even if the King story will likely be insufferable, I’ll probably dig this.
BATMAN SECRET FILES #1
written by TOM KING, JORDIE BELLAIRE, RAM V., CHERYL LYNN EATON and TOM TAYLOR
art by MIKEL JANIN, JORGE FORNES, ELENA CASAGRANDE, BRAD WALKER and others
enhanced foil cover by MIKEL JANIN
Delve into Batman’s case histories and discover brand-new stories by some of comics’ most exciting talents. The BATMAN team of Tom King and Mikel Janin provides a framing sequence, setting up our hand-picked teams of creators to take a look at Bat-mysteries past and present. Featuring a bevy of Batman villains, including a look at how the Scarecrow’s fear toxin affects the common man, and a special story written by Tom Taylor with art by Brad Walker that teams the Dark Knight Detective with Detective Chimp.
ONE SHOT
ON SALE 10.31.18
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | RATED T
7. Of all the titles to collect…
Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato had a really stellar run on “The Flash” when the New 52 kicked off. They followed that up by a run on “Detective Comics” that never really got off the ground, at least as far as I remember it. I am also shocked that Manapul actually illustrated all these issues, as I remember him being filled in for quite a bit. I’m actually excited to check this out, because I can tell you so little about what actually happened during this run (I remember something about Harvey Bullock, but that’s about it).
Continued belowBATMAN BY FRANCIS MANAPUL AND BRIAN BUCCELLATO DELUXE EDITION HC
written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
The acclaimed writer-artist team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato move from the fast streets of the Flash’s Central City to the crime-riddled back alleys of Gotham City to face threats from Anarky, Icarus and more! Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #30-34, 37-44 and the DETECTIVE COMICS Sneak Peek!
ON SALE 11.21.18
$39.99 US | 280 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8485-5
7.0625” x 10.875”
6. Lock Her Him Up! Lock Her Him Up!
Following up on the ‘Deathstroke vs Batman’ arc, Deathstroke goes to prison! Priest continues to take Slade to unexpected places, and a book about Deathstroke dealing with his inner demons in Arkham would never have made my pull before this run. But damn it, Priest would get me to buy just about anything with his name on it at this point.
DEATHSTROKE #36
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by ED BENES
cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
“Deathstroke: Arkham” starts here! After being declared criminally insane, Deathstroke is committed to the infamous Arkham Asylum! It isn’t long before the hunter becomes the hunted as Slade, powerless and weaponless, is targeted by some of Gotham City’s most wanted. But after initially mocking and contravening the system meant to help him, Deathstroke learns that his only hope for survival may be to confront his own inner demons.
ON SALE 10.03.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
5. Nothing but respect for my Dynamic Duo
Hawkman and the Atom are a pairing that people like more in theory than in practice, or at least, one that we haven’t really been able to enjoy for a long time now. To my (admittedly) incomplete memory, we haven’t had a proper team up from the two since pre-‘Flashpoint.’ I think it maybe happened during ‘Brightest Day?’ Anyway, this is a good thing, and it will likely play well into Venditti’s plans for the book, which seems to be an encapsulation of everything Hawkman. Excluding the Atom from that would be a damn shame.
HAWKMAN #5
written by ROBERT VENDITTI
art by BRYAN HITCH and ANDREW CURRIE
enhanced foil cover by BRYAN HITCH
variant cover by MATTEO SCALERA
The time-and-space-tossed Hawkman arrives at his latest destination, the sub-atomic world known as the Microverse. Luckily, he meets an old friend there—his longtime Justice League partner the Atom. Ray Palmer learns that the past lives of Carter Hall leave clues for the Winged Wonder to follow. Too bad the next clue leads them to a thinking planet known as Moz-Ga, who’s thinking he’d like very much to destroy Hawkman and Atom!
ON SALE 10.10.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
4. Sadly, it does not come with a free frogurt
As I said before with the “Batman: Secret Files” book, I’m a sucker for an anthology issue, and these holiday/seasonally themed ones can be pretty fun. Plus, look at that lineup of talent: Riley Rossmo! Becky Cloonan! Bryan Hill! James Tynion! I’m all in on this.
Continued belowCURSED COMICS CAVALCADE #1
written by JAMES TYNION IV, BECKY CLOONAN, BRYAN HILL, TIM SEELEY, RILEY ROSSMO, GARY DAUBERMAN and others
art by MARK BUCKINGHAM, BECKY CLOONAN, RILEY ROSSMO, RICCARDO FEDERICI and others
cover by DOUG MAHNKE
Horror! Death! Uh…Face-punching! Witness ten all-new stories that promise to be the most terrifying, most shocking and most horrific comic that DC Comics has ever published! (Hyperbole much?) Batman, Wonder Woman, Guy Gardner, Swamp Thing, Zatanna and more of your favorite heroes face unspeakable horrors from the streets of Gotham City to the darkest sectors of the universe.
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ON SALE 10.10.18
$9.99 US | 80 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
3. You’re right, this does sound Terrific!
“The Terrifics” has been a bit of a bumpy ride thus far, with too many artists and too little Tom Strong for my tastes. It has moments of brilliance, but they haven’t been as frequent as I may have hoped for. But, that said, this annual looks amazing. Three great writers, three great artists, all telling side stories from this world? Oh hell yes. More Gene Luen Yang is something that should be happening every single month at DC.
THE TERRIFICS ANNUAL #1
written by GENE LUEN YANG, MARK RUSSELL and JAMES ASMUS
art by JOE BENNETT, EVAN “DOC” SHANER and VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC
cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
It’s three startling Terrifics tales, kicking off with a deadly nightmare at Stagg Manor! When a plot to steal Plastic Man’s powers goes awry, the Terrifics’ new home and everyone in it are at the mercy of stealthy plastic monsters. Looks like Sapphire picked the wrong day to host a Halloween dance for her Stagg Industries internship program! Next up, discover the secret origin of Java the caveman, and the secret he’s keeping will shock you. Last but not least, we uncover Tom Strong’s hidden adventure in the Dark Multiverse—hold on to your holy socks!
ON SALE 10.31.18
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | RATED T
Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
2. You didn’t ask for it, but here it is!
So the DC/Hanna-Barbera crossovers are back, and they will likely be their usual mix of insanity and fun. There are team ups between Green Lantern John Stewart and Huckleberry Hound written by Mark Russell (sure to be fun!), Nightwing and Magilla Gorilla (which looks surprisingly dark), a Superman/Top Cat story that sounds absurdly goofy, and this, a Deathstroke and Yogi Bear joint. Look, I want two things from this comic, and I’ll get neither: I want Deathstroke saying “pic-a-nic baskets,” and I want Boo-Boo to snipe someone using Slade’s gun. Instead, we’ll get a bear that isn’t really Yogi, and it’ll take itself too seriously. Sigh.
DEATHSTROKE/YOGI BEAR SPECIAL #1
written by FRANK TIERI
art by MARK TEXEIRA
backup story written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
backup story art by TOM MANDRAKE
cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
variant cover by PAOLO PANTALENA
In Yellowstone Park, legends speak of a spirit bear referred to as “the Yogi,” which few if any have actually encountered. Real or not, when a bear seems to have graduated from stealing picnic baskets to kidnapping actual campers, Ranger Smith decides it’s time to stop this menace—so he calls on the services of Slade Wilson—a.k.a. Deathstroke—to get the job done. Plus, part one of a Secret Squirrel backup story written by J.M. DeMatteis.
ONE-SHOT
ON SALE 10.31.18
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
1. Smell ya later, “Green Lanterns”
For a book that seemed like a really fresh idea, “Green Lanterns” sputtered out of the gate and somehow survived for 57 issues despite never really getting its footing. Now, at the end of its run, it features a character at its center (Hal Jordan) that isn’t supposed to be there, versus a villain (Cyborg Superman) that hasn’t factored into the story at all, written by someone (Dan Jurgens) who is writing characters he previously did a lot of work with 25 years ago. It’s an odd way to see the Simon Baz/Jessica Cruz book wrap up. We know Jessica has a home in “Justice League Odyssey,” but where will Simon wind up?
The characters deserved better than this book. Hopefully, they get another shot one day.
GREEN LANTERNS #57
written by DAN JURGENS
art by MIKE PERKINS
cover by MIKE PERKINS
variant cover by CHRIS STEVENS
And after that, it’s Hal Jordan versus the Cyborg Superman for all the marbles in the heart of Coast City! You might recall that the last time Cyborg Superman visited that town, things did not turn out well…
ON SALE 10.17.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
#57 Final issue
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
Check out the full solicitations over at Newsarama.
